Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis
Encyclopedia
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
that covers the City of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
as well as the following Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
counties: Franklin
Franklin County, Missouri
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri on the south side of the Missouri River. Franklin County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area and contains many of the St. Louis exurbs. Census 2010 put the population at 101,492; making it the 10th most populous county in Missouri....
, Jefferson
Jefferson County, Missouri
Jefferson County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. The county was included as the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. It is the sixth most-populous county in Missouri. Census 2010 put the population at 218,733 Its county seat is Hillsboro. The county was...
, Lincoln
Lincoln County, Missouri
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,944 people, 13,851 households, and 10,554 families residing in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile . There were 15,511 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, Perry
Perry County, Missouri
Perry County is a county located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 18,132. In 2008 the population was estimated to be 18,743. Its county seat is Perryville. The county was officially organized on November 16, 1820 from Ste...
, Saint Charles
Saint Charles County, Missouri
As of 2000, there were 283,883 people, 101,663 households, and 77,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 507 people per square mile . There were 105,514 housing units at an average density of 73 persons/km²...
, Saint Francois
Saint Francois County, Missouri
St. Francois County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 55,641. The 2010 Census, showed the population to be 65,359. The largest city and county seat is Farmington. The county was officially organized...
, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
, Warren
Warren County, Missouri
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Warren County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area and is located west of the city on the north side of the Missouri River. As of 2008, the population was estimated to be 31,214. Its county seat is Warrenton...
, and Washington
Washington County, Missouri
Washington County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county's population was 25,195. The largest city and county seat is Potosi...
.
It was led by Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Raymond Burke
Raymond Leo Burke
Raymond Leo Burke is an American Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. He is the current Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, having previously served as Archbishop of St...
until his transfer to the position of Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura on June 27, 2008. Robert James Carlson
Robert James Carlson
Robert James Carlson is an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of St. Louis. He previously served as Auxiliary Bishop of St...
, the former Bishop of Saginaw
Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is a Roman Catholic diocese covering eleven counties in Michigan. It was founded on February 26, 1938; the first bishop was William Francis Murphy....
, was named the Archbishop-elect on April 21, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
, and was installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
on June 10, 2009. Archbishop Carlson is assisted by Auxiliary Bishop Edward M. Rice
Edward M. Rice
Edward Matthew Rice, born July 28, 1960, in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American Roman Catholic Bishop: Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Titular Bishop of Sufes. On Wednesday, December 1, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI designated the Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Rice to become...
and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Robert Joseph Hermann
Robert Joseph Hermann
Robert J. Hermann, born August 12, 1934, is an American Roman Catholic Bishop: Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Titular bishop of Zerta. Hermann was appointed by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 2002, as the Auxiliary Bishop to serve the Archdiocese of Saint Louis...
. The archdiocesan cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as the Saint Louis Cathedral or the New Cathedral, was completed in 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri, as the archdiocesan replacement for the Cathedral of St. Louis, King of France...
. The original cathedral and motherchurch is the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France
Basilica of St. Louis, King of France
The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, formerly the Cathedral of Saint Louis, and colloquially the Old Cathedral, was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River and until 1845 the only parish church in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of two Catholic basilicas in St...
.
History
The area's first bishop was Louis William Valentine DubourgLouis William Valentine Dubourg
Louis William Valentine Dubourg was a Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who played an active role in the growth of the church in the early years of the United States. He was born in Cap Français, St...
, who on September 24, 1815 was appointed Bishop of Louisiana
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
and the
East Florida
East Florida was a colony of Great Britain from 1763–1783 and of Spain from 1783–1822. East Florida was established by the British colonial government in 1763; as its name implies it consisted of the eastern part of the region of Florida, with West Florida comprising the western parts. Its capital...
and West
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:...
. DuBourg chose to set up his episcopal see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
in St. Louis. After his resignation and transfer to lead the diocese of Montauban, France, the Diocese of St. Louis was erected on July 18, 1826 by Pope Leo XII
Pope Leo XII
Pope Leo XII , born Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiore Girolamo Nicola Sermattei della Genga, was Pope from 1823 to 1829.-Life:...
. When founded, it included the state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, the western half of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, and all American territory west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and north of the state of Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. It was the largest American diocese, equalling in extent all of the other nine dioceses.
Its first bishop, Joseph Rosati
Joseph Rosati
Joseph Rosati was a U.S. Catholic bishop. He served as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Louis between 1826 and 1843....
, led the Roman Catholic Church's expansion its presence in these areas, and built its first cathedral, now known as the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France
Basilica of St. Louis, King of France
The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, formerly the Cathedral of Saint Louis, and colloquially the Old Cathedral, was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi River and until 1845 the only parish church in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. It is one of two Catholic basilicas in St...
.
On July 28, 1837, territory in Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas was taken from the Diocese to form the Diocese of Dubuque, Iowa.
The St. Louis Diocese was elevated to an Archdiocese on July 20, 1847 by Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
.
Because of its strong Catholic identity and having been the mother diocese of many dioceses in the midwest, the archdiocese was often referred to as "the Rome of the west". It is dedicated to Saint Louis IX
Louis IX of France
Louis IX , commonly Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 until his death. He was also styled Louis II, Count of Artois from 1226 to 1237. Born at Poissy, near Paris, he was an eighth-generation descendant of Hugh Capet, and thus a member of the House of Capet, and the son of Louis VIII and...
and has as its copatrons Saints Vincent de Paul and Rose Philippine Duchesne.
In January 1999, the archdiocese was host to a two-day visit from Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, the first time a pope had visited the city. It was not John Paul's first visit, since thirty years earlier, he had paid a visit when he was Cardinal Wojtyła, Archbishop of Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.
Residential bishops
The following is a list of the bishops and archbishops of St. Louis and their terms of service.- † Joseph RosatiJoseph RosatiJoseph Rosati was a U.S. Catholic bishop. He served as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Louis between 1826 and 1843....
, C.M. (1827–1843) - † Peter Richard KenrickPeter Richard KenrickPeter Richard Kenrick was the first Catholic archbishop west of the Mississippi River.-Early life and ordination:He was born and educated in Dublin, Ireland and ordained to the priesthood in 1832...
(1843–1895); first archbishop of St. Louis - † John Joseph KainJohn Joseph KainJohn Joseph Kain was a Roman Catholic priest who would eventually become Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and the first native-born American to hold that office.-Biography:...
(1895–1903) - † John J. GlennonJohn J. GlennonJohn Joseph Glennon was an Irish American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of St. Louis from 1903 until his death in 1946, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1946.-Early life and ministry:...
(1903–1946) - † Joseph Ritter (1946–1967)
- † John Joseph Carberry (1968–1979)
- † John L. MayJohn L. MayJohn Lawrence May was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Mobile and Archbishop of St. Louis .-Early life and education:...
(1980–1992) - Justin Francis Rigali (1994–2003); later Cardinal-Archbishop of Philadelphia, 2002-2011
- Raymond Leo BurkeRaymond Leo BurkeRaymond Leo Burke is an American Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. He is the current Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, having previously served as Archbishop of St...
(2004–2008) - Robert J. Carlson (2009–present)
†=deceased
Eastern Rites
There are two Eastern Rite churchesEastern Rite Catholic Churches
The Eastern Catholic Churches are autonomous, self-governing particular churches in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. Together with the Latin Church, they compose the worldwide Catholic Church...
and one Eastern Rite Cathedral within the archdiocese's boundaries:
- St. Raymond's Cathedral, Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles (Maronite)
- St. Louis Byzantine (Ruthenian) ChurchRuthenian Catholic ChurchThe Ruthenian Catholic Church is a sui iuris Eastern Catholic Church , which uses the Divine Liturgy of the Constantinopolitan Byzantine Eastern Rite. Its roots are among the Rusyns who lived in the region called Carpathian Ruthenia, in and around the Carpathian Mountains...
, ByzantineByzantine Catholic Metropolitan Church of PittsburghThe Byzantine Catholic Metropolia of Pittsburgh is an autonomous Byzantine Rite particular church of the Catholic Church, originally serving members of the Ruthenian Catholic Church and their descendants in the United States...
Eparchy of Parma - St. Mary's Assumption Ukrainian Catholic ChurchUkrainian Greek Catholic ChurchThe Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church , Ukrainska Hreko-Katolytska Tserkva), is the largest Eastern Rite Catholic sui juris particular church in full communion with the Holy See, and is directly subject to the Pope...
, Eparchy of Saint Nicolas of Chicago for the Ukrainians
High schools
- Barat AcademyBarat Academy (O'Fallon, Missouri)Barat Academy High School is an independent, faith-based high school, in Chesterfield, MO. It is in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis, but is the first co-educational completely independent Catholic High School in the state of Missouri...
, O'Fallon - Bishop DuBourg High SchoolBishop DuBourg High SchoolBishop DuBourg High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, St. Louis † - Cardinal Ritter College Prep High SchoolCardinal Ritter College Prep High SchoolCardinal Ritter College Prep High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis....
, St. Louis - Chaminade College Preparatory SchoolChaminade College Preparatory School (Missouri)Founded in 1910, Chaminade College Preparatory School is an independent Catholic Marianist school for boys in grades six through twelve. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis. The school is located in west St. Louis County, Missouri. Chaminade offers 7-day, 5-day, and...
, Creve Coeur - Christian Brothers College High SchoolChristian Brothers College High SchoolChristian Brothers College High School , is a Lasallian Catholic college preparatory school for young men in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis and is owned and operated by the De La Salle Christian Brothers Midwest District.-Early years :The school...
, Town and Country - Cor Jesu AcademyCor Jesu AcademyCor Jesu Academy is a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.- History :...
, St. Louis - De Smet Jesuit High SchoolDe Smet Jesuit High SchoolDe Smet Jesuit High School is a Jesuit Catholic, college preparatory high school Creve Coeur, Missouri in western St. Louis County. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.The school began classes in the fall of 1967...
, Creve Coeur - Duchesne High School, St. Charles
- Gateway AcademyGateway AcademyGateway Academy is a private school in Scottsdale, Arizona. It specializes in the education of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders.-Background:...
, Chesterfield - Incarnate Word AcademyIncarnate Word Academy (Bel-Nor, Missouri)Incarnate Word Academy is a Roman Catholic, private, secondary school for women. The school is sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The school is located in Bel-Nor, a suburb of St...
, Bel-Nor - John F. Kennedy Catholic High SchoolJohn F. Kennedy Catholic High School (Manchester, Missouri)John F. Kennedy Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Manchester, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, Manchester † - Nerinx Hall High SchoolNerinx Hall High SchoolNerinx Hall High School is a private all-girls Roman Catholic high school in Webster Groves, Missouri, and is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-History:...
, Webster Groves - Notre Dame High School, St. Louis
- Rosati-Kain High SchoolRosati-Kain High SchoolRosati-Kain High School is an all-girls Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. Rosati-Kain is accredited as a college preparatory school by the North Central Association, the Missouri Department of Education, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-History:Rosati-Kain High school...
, St. Louis † - St. Dominic High SchoolSt. Dominic High School (O'Fallon, Missouri)St. Dominic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in O'Fallon, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis. St. Dominic is also in the process of building a new gymnasium and performing arts center.- History :...
, O'Fallon - St. Elizabeth AcademySt. Elizabeth Academy (St. Louis, Missouri)St. Elizabeth Academy High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, St. Louis - St. Francis Borgia Regional High SchoolSt. Francis Borgia Regional High School- History :St. Francis Regional High School dates back to 1901 when the school enrolled twenty three students to further their education past the grade school level. In 1910 the school became a two year Commercial School and then in 1934 St. Francis Borgia officially became four year parish high...
, Washington - St. John Vianney High SchoolSt. John Vianney High School (Kirkwood, Missouri)St. John Vianney High School is a private, all male, Catholic college preparatory high school located in Kirkwood, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis. The school was founded by the Society of Mary , a religious order of priests and brothers who continue to...
, Kirkwood - St. Joseph's AcademySt. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis, Missouri)St. Joseph's Academy is a private, all-girls, Roman Catholic, college preparatory high school in Frontenac, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Notable alumni:...
, Frontenac - Saint Louis Priory SchoolSaint Louis Priory SchoolThe Saint Louis Priory School, a Roman Catholic secondary day school for boys, is located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri, within the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. The school is run by the Benedictine monks of Saint Louis Abbey as part of their religious ministry.- History :The school was...
, St. Louis - St. Louis University High School, St. Louis
- St. Mary's High SchoolSt. Mary's High School (St. Louis, Missouri)St. Mary’s High School is an all-boys' Catholic high school located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. A part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, St. Mary’s High School serves young men in the Marianist tradition. - History :St...
, St. Louis † - St. Pius X High SchoolSt. Pius X High School (Festus)St. Pius X High School was founded in 1959 to provide a Catholic education for high school students in Jefferson County, Missouri. To this day it remains the only Catholic high school in the county. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.St...
, Festus † - St. Vincent High SchoolSt. Vincent High School (Perryville, Missouri)St. Vincent High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Perryville, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, Perryville - Trinity Catholic High SchoolTrinity Catholic High School (St. Louis, Missouri)Trinity Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, North County † - Ursuline AcademyUrsuline Academy (St. Louis, Missouri)Ursuline Academy is a private, all-girls' Roman Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, Oakland - Valle Catholic High SchoolValle Catholic High SchoolValle Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-Background:...
, Sainte Genevieve - Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill SchoolVilla Duchesne/Oak Hill SchoolVilla Duchesne and Oak Hill School is a private, Roman Catholic school in Frontenac, Missouri, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis and governed by the Society of the Sacred Heart. Villa Duchesne is an all-girls school with grades 7 through 12. Oak Hill...
, St. Louis - Visitation Academy of St. LouisVisitation Academy of St. LouisVisitation Academy of St. Louis is a private, all-girls, Roman Catholic high school in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.-History:...
, Town and Country
†Archdiocesan high schools that are owned and operated by the Archdiocese.
Cemeteries
The archdiocese operates 17 cemeteries in the region, including:- Resurrection
- Sts. Peter & Paul
- Mt. Olive
- CalvaryBellefontaine and Calvary CemeteriesBellefontaine Cemetery and the Roman Catholic Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri are adjacent burial grounds, which have numerous historic and extravagant tombstones and mausoleums. They are the necropolis for a number of prominent local and state politicians, as well as soldiers of the...
- Sacred Heart
- St. Charles Borromeo
- St. Peter
- St. Ferdinand
- St. Monica
- Our Lady
- Holy Cross
- St. Vincent
- Ste. Philippine
- St. Mary's
- Ascension
- Glencoe
- Queen of Peace
External links
- The Archdiocese of St. Louis, including an archives section and the story of John Paul II's 1999 visit
- St. Louis Review, the weekly newspaper of the archdiocese
- Rome of the West, features photography of churches in the Archdiocese
- Eastern rites in the Archdiocese: